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Congenital syphilis in Italy: a multicentre study
Elisabetta Tridapalli1, Maria Grazia Capretti, Maria Letizia Bacchi Reggiani
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, S Orsola-Malpighi General Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy. elisabetta.tridapalli@aosp.bo.it
Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|September 28, 2010
Summary
Congenital syphilis affects 20 per 100,000 live births in Italy, primarily due to lack of antenatal screening and inadequate maternal treatment. Prevention requires universal antenatal syphilis testing and prompt treatment for infected mothers.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Maternal and Child Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Syphilis poses a significant risk to pregnant women and newborns.
- Congenital syphilis is a preventable yet re-emerging public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of congenital syphilis in Italy.
- To identify risk factors associated with congenital syphilis transmission.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted from July 2006 to June 2007.
- Data collected on mother-child pairs with maternal syphilis seropositivity.
Main Results:
- Maternal syphilis seroprevalence was 0.17%, with 25 cases of congenital syphilis diagnosed (20/100,000 live births).
- Key maternal risk factors included young maternal age (<20 years), lack of antenatal care, and inadequate treatment.
- Infants born with congenital syphilis were more likely to be preterm or have low birth weight (<2000 g).
Conclusions:
- Lack of antenatal screening and inadequate maternal treatment were significant factors in congenital syphilis transmission.
- While many infected mothers were foreign-born, their risk was not higher than Italian-born women.
- Implementing universal antenatal serological testing and ensuring adequate maternal treatment are crucial for prevention.
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